Study Visit and Steering Committee Meeting in Moldova

From 16–20 June, partners from across the Danube region gathered in the Republic of Moldova for a productive four-day study visit and the fifth Steering Committee Meeting (SCOM). Hosted by our partner ANTRIM, the event brought together 14 partners from 11 countries to share experiences, track project progress and plan the next steps for building inclusive communities through culture.

The intensive itinerary blended strategic planning with authentic cultural discovery. Collaborative workshop sessions at the Moldovan Ministry of Culture allowed partners to align on future goals, while afternoon excursions showcased the region's rich heritage. The delegation experienced Moldova's thriving wine tourism at Castel Mimi and participated in a hands-on ceramics workshop as well as a traditional egg-painting workshop, experiencing the local cultural economy firsthand.

eggs

At the ANTRIM Incoming Tourism Forum 2026, CAST project representatives Elena Stepanov (ANTRIM, Moldova), Urška Dolinar (Iskriva Institute, Slovenia) and Vinko Mihajlović (Urbani Kult, Montenegro) took the stage to highlight how culture can transform local economies and make destinations more competitive on a European scale. The event brought together over a hundred tourism representatives, international experts and public authorities to discuss the future of sustainable travel.

forum

The visit concluded with a trip to the DescOperă Open Air Classical Music Festival in Orheiul Vechi. As one of the core pilot actions implemented in Moldova, the festival served as a perfect real-world example of the CAST project's mission, proving how cultural heritage can actively drive social inclusion and breathe new life into local communities. The event is part of the inaugural Danube Festival Caravan, a network of festivals across the Danube Region.

opera